Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAChttps://www.tlrpac.com
enTrial Lawyer Fox Running to Guard the GOP Hen Househttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/trial-lawyer-fox-running-guard-gop-hen-house
<div class="mediaArticleHeader">May 2, 2016</div><div class="field field-name-field-publication field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleOutlet field-wrapper">Southeast Texas Record</div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleAuthor field-wrapper">Mark Pulliam </div><div class="field field-name-field-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><p>In an election season abounding with ironies, one of the strangest is the campaign now being waged by Houston personal injury trial lawyer Jared Woodfill to lead the Republican Party of Texas. The RPT platform, you see, advocates tort reform and opposes frivolous lawsuits, whereas Woodfill has a deplorable record of bringing meritless lawsuits and engaging in questionable litigation tactics. Texas’s long run of economic prosperity is due in large part to the “Texas Miracle” promoted by former Gov. Rick Perry, the centerpiece of which is a sensible, business-friendly legal system. Two decades ago, proponents of a balanced civil justice system, led by Texans for Lawsuit Reform, fought long and hard to pry the state’s judiciary and legislature out of the rapacious hands of Woodfill’s lawsuit-happy colleagues in the plaintiffs’ bar. The delegates to the upcoming GOP state convention, being held in Dallas from May 12-14, could jeopardize Texas’s comprehensive tort reform model by electing a fox to guard the proverbial hen house.</p>
<p>Woodfill, who previously served as GOP chair in Harris County for 12 years, put his sights on the state party only after losing his reelection bid in 2014—in other words, when he was fired by the voters in Harris County. In 2015, Woodfill lost a prior bid to chair the RPT in a four-way race to fill the remainder of Steve Munisteri’s term (Munisteri, an acclaimed chair, resigned to work on Sen. Rand Paul’s ill-fated presidential campaign). But, like the tenacious trial lawyer that he is, Woodfill doesn’t give up easily. The 2015 victor, incumbent RPT chair Tom Mechler of Amarillo, will soon face off against Woodfill again at the state convention in Dallas. Woodfill is promoting himself as an outspoken social conservative, pointing to his role in the successful battle to defeat the controversial HERO (transgender bathroom) ordinance in Houston. The soft-spoken Mechler, in contrast, is a party-building leader focused on the nuts-and-bolts of fundraising, field operations, and candidate recruitment. (Tellingly, Munisteri backs Mechler.)</p>
<p>For obvious reasons, Woodfill downplays his professional activities, recognizing that most GOP activists are understandably leery of personal injury lawyers, who are overwhelmingly liberal Democrats. Mega-donor Steve Mostyn is just one example. But Woodfill is not just a plaintiffs’ trial lawyer; he exemplifies all the negative characteristics usually associated with that sordid profession: greed, questionable ethics, and dishonesty.</p>
<p>For example, while serving as Harris County GOP chair, Woodfill filed a widely-publicized mass tort lawsuit against a manufacturer of railroad ties, claiming that the creosote used to treat the wood caused various injuries and diseases, including cancer, to employees and residents near the Somerville, Texas plant. The lawsuit was financed through a risky seven figure loan by a New York hedge fund at very high interest rates. As with all such “contingent fee” cases, Woodfill was gambling that a large verdict or settlement would allow him to repay the loan and still net a windfall of tens of millions of dollars in legal fees. It didn’t work out that way. Woodfill’s bet didn’t pay off. The manufacturer vigorously defended the meritless suit, and the claims were ultimately thrown out when Woodfill was unable to prove that creosote caused any injuries. With interest, Woodfill owed the hedge fund lenders $30 million, with no recovery to show for. When Woodfill defaulted on the loan, the lender sued him for repayment, leading to this unflattering headline in the Houston Chronicle: “Lawsuit alleges GOP chairman on the hook for $30 million.” Imagine the chagrin of Harris County Republicans when they discovered that their leader was an ambulance chaser and a deadbeat!</p>
<p>Even worse was Woodfill’s ignominious role in a 2014 divorce case. Woodfill represented the wife in a highly-acrimonious divorce proceeding in Harris County family court. When the case was in process, Woodfill persuaded the judge to order the husband to pay Woodfill’s firm $149,500 in attorneys’ fees on behalf of the wife, based on a false representation that the wife was in arrears on legal fees. (In fact, Woodfill was holding over $100,000 in his trust account as the wife’s unspent retainer). When the husband refused to pay, Woodfill and his client sought to have the husband jailed for contempt of court. To protect himself, the husband filed for bankruptcy. Woodfill then moved to dismiss the husband’s bankruptcy filing, claiming that it was brought solely to avoid paying him the $149,500, as ordered.</p>
<p>Following a 12-day hearing, in May 2015 the federal bankruptcy court turned the tables on Woodfill, finding that the original order of attorneys’ fees was obtained by Woodfill “through fraudulent representations.” (In re Castillo, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Case No. 15-31471, Order Confirming Third Amended Combined Plan of Reorganization, entered March 18, 2016) Woodfill’s law firm ultimately agreed to pay $135,000 to a federal bankruptcy trustee to compensate the husband for the damage caused by Woodfill’s unethical acts. The bankruptcy court ruling (portions of which are available here) is laced with references to Woodfill’s “misrepresentations” and findings that he “fraudulently induced” the family court judge to make an unwarranted order awarding fees to Woodfill.</p>
<p>Woodfill’s allegiance to other plaintiffs’ trial lawyers is evident in his support of Democrat trial lawyer Ben Hall over Republican businessman Bill King in last year’s Houston mayor’s race. The failure to unite behind King resulted in the disastrous election of Democrat Sylvester Turner in a close runoff. Moreover, Woodfill is deeply enmeshed in the disreputable cabal of trial lawyer-dominated “pay-to-play” slate mailers run out of Houston, which in 2014 attempted to unseat three incumbent justices on the Texas Supreme Court with “ringers” from the plaintiffs’ bar. The unsuccessful effort to unseat three sound GOP jurists in 2014 was funded in part by “Texans for Family Values,” a deceptively-named PAC associated with Houston trial lawyer Mark Lanier that has also supported Woodfill. Birds of a feather….</p>
<p>Do Texas Republicans really want as state chair a plaintiffs’ lawyer whose loyalties are divided, and whose professional conduct has been condemned by a federal judge? The RPT platform is opposed to “frivolous lawsuits” and the “abusive use of class action lawsuits.” (Page 34) The platform further states: “We strongly support continuation of common sense tort reform that puts justice back into our civil justice system.” (Page 10) At the upcoming state convention, the GOP delegates can demonstrate their commitment to those principles by declining to elect as chair a poster child for lawsuit abuse. TLR endorses Tom Mechler, for good reason. Jared Woodfill would be a disaster—and an embarrassment.</p>
<p>The RPT should keep the fox out of the hen house.</p>
<p>Mark Pulliam is a retired lawyer and Republican activist living in Austin.</p>
</div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/purge">Purge</a></li></ul></div>Mon, 02 May 2016 14:13:19 +0000manager468 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/trial-lawyer-fox-running-guard-gop-hen-house#commentsLujan is right choice in special runoffhttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/lujan-right-choice-special-runoff
<div class="mediaArticleHeader">January 18, 2016</div><div class="field field-name-field-publication field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleOutlet field-wrapper">San Antonio Express News</div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleAuthor field-wrapper">Express-News Editorial Board</div><div class="field field-name-field-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><p>Voters in Texas House District 118 are being confronted with a confusing situation that features simultaneous, separate campaigns for the legislative post.</p>
<p>First on the agenda is the Jan. 26 special election to fill the House seat vacated by retired Democratic state Rep. Joe Farias. Six candidates sought the post in November, but none won a majority of votes. The runoff contenders, Republican John Lujan and Democrat Tomas Uresti, also are candidates in their respective March primaries.</p>
<p>We recommend that voters cast their ballots for Lujan to fill the unexpired House term, which will end before the next regular legislative session. Lujan is a retired San Antonio firefighter who helped launch a successful technology company in 1999.</p>
<p>Lujan has deep roots in the community and a strong track record of community involvement. As a successful businessman, Lujan will bring an understanding of small-business needs. The Republican also offers a level-headed, thoughtful approach to issues.</p>
<p>Early voting in the special election runoff lasts only three days — Wednesday through Friday. We urge district residents of both parties to make the trip to the polls and participate in the special election. Early voting in the March 1 primaries will be in February.</p>
</div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/purge">Purge</a></li></ul></div>Tue, 19 Jan 2016 16:21:11 +0000manager449 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/lujan-right-choice-special-runoff#commentsLEGITIMATE JUDICIAL CANDIDATES MUST BE ‘JUDICIOUS’https://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/legitimate-judicial-candidates-must-be-%E2%80%98judicious%E2%80%99
<div class="mediaArticleHeader">January 11, 2016</div><div class="field field-name-field-publication field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleOutlet field-wrapper">American Spectator </div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleAuthor field-wrapper">Mark Pulliam </div><div class="field field-name-field-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><p>Texas is an unusual state in many respects: the largest of the contiguous United States; home of three of America’s ten most populous cities; the biggest producer of oil, beef, cotton, and wool in the U.S.; the best economic climate; one of the few states to exist as a sovereign nation (1836-1845) prior to joining the union; and the only one to fight and win a war for independence. Texans are extraordinarily proud of these distinctions, as well as barbecue, the University of Texas, Willie Nelson, Tex-Mex, and Blue Bell Ice Cream. (The Dallas Cowboys, alas, not so much anymore.) Texans should also be proud of the Texas Supreme Court — and care enough to look into who they are voting for.</p>
<p>Texas, you see, is one of the few states that select all their judges in partisan political elections. Texas voters tilt decidedly conservative, so the nine justices on the Texas Supreme Court are — like all other statewide elected officials — Republican. A corollary to this is that the most important election for statewide office is not the general in November (in which no Democrat has prevailed for over two decades), but the Republican primary — held this year on March 1. Unlike other elected officials, incumbent judges are not necessarily shoo-ins for re-election; they often lack name ID and have difficulty raising funds. Accordingly, in expensive statewide campaigns, judicial incumbents can be vulnerable to challenge. Three incumbent Supreme Court justices are on the ballot this year, and all face challengers, but the focus of this piece is on Place 5, currently held by Justice Paul W. Green. He faces a primary challenge by conservative activist and radio talk show host, Rick Green.</p>
<p>I have written elsewhere about the Green versus Green race, and the understandable — and perhaps calculated?--potential for confusion by Texas voters, who in 1976 elected to the supreme court an obscure, scandal-ridden lawyer named Don Yarbrough, apparently confusing him with former longtime U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough. Here, I wish to discuss a different aspect of the race: the candidates’ experience, judicial temperament, and reputation for character and integrity. Unlike the other branches of government, courts derive their moral authority from public respect, which requires that judges maintain the appearance of fairness and impartiality. For that reason, the conduct of judges must be honorable, dignified, and beyond reproach. Judges must be judicious, and act judiciously. The same is true of judicial candidates.</p>
<p>It is not difficult to evaluate the respective records of Paul Green and Rick Green because, as they say here in Texas, this is not their first rodeo.</p>
<p>The 44-year-old Rick Green has no prior judicial experience. Although he has a law degree, he has spent most of his adult life as a speaker, media figure, candidate, and political activist, not as a practicing lawyer. He served two terms in the (part-time) Texas House of Representatives from 1999-2003, narrowly lost his bid for re-election, and subsequently has become well known for his association with WallBuilders, David Barton’s for-profit evangelic organization. Rick Green later ran for an open seat on the Texas Supreme Court, losing to Tarrant County District Judge Debra Lehrmann in 2010. (Although Justice Lehrmann is on the ballot again this year, Rick Green chose not to challenge her.) His stated reason for challenging Justice Paul Green is a decision issued in 2015, Texas v. Naylor, that Paul Green didn’t even author. To date, Rick Green has been endorsed by Chuck Norris, David Barton, and Dr. James Dobson.</p>
<p>The 63-year-old Paul Green has served on the Texas Supreme Court since 2004, winning re-election in 2010 without a primary opponent. Prior to that, he served for 10 years on the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio (1994-2004), and prior to that practiced law for 17 years. He is a former President of the San Antonio Bar Association and a member of the prestigious American Law Institute. He is a well-respected judge whose 21 years of service on the bench have been characterized by dignity and decorum. Ironically, his greatest vulnerability as a candidate lies in his low-key, non-partisan demeanor. While he rarely makes political appearances, in 2012, two political science professors from Stanford University rated his ideology as “conservative.” So far, Paul Green’s re-election has been endorsed by Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the Texas Medical Association, and the Texas Tea Party Patriots PAC.</p>
<p>Rick Green’s lack of any prior judicial experience and meager legal experience are not his biggest faults; his well-documented injudicious background is. While serving in the Texas legislature, Rick Green lobbied for, and used his government office to film an infomercial to promote, an ephedra-based dietary supplement called Metabolife, which the FDA banned in 2004 due to thousands of “serious adverse events,” including numerous deaths. Metabolife, whose namesake product was sometimes referred to as “legal speed” (because it contained compounds chemically related to methamphetamine), was founded by two former methamphetamine dealers. Run as a multi-level marketing company, and during its heyday generating hundreds of millions of dollars in sales, Metabolife and its owner ultimately pled guilty to federal income tax evasion. Metabolife’s outside CPA, implicated in criminal tax fraud, committed suicide after an affidavit for a search warrant was unsealed in federal court. One of the founders was convicted of lying to the FDA and concealing evidence of ephedra’s dangers. Amidst the criminal charges, product bans, and more than $1 billion in personal injury claims, Metabolife ended in disgrace, filing for bankruptcy in 2005. Metabolife was, by any estimation, a sordid enterprise that tainted all those who associated with it.</p>
<p>While in the legislature, Rick Green also generated controversy by filming another infomercial in his Capitol office, this time for dietary supplement FocusFactor, a product developed by a friend and business associate of Green, whom Green also represented as an attorney. The FTC later filed a complaint against the maker of FocusFactor for deceptive advertising, for which the maker of FocusFactor paid a $1 million fine to settle in 2004. The FocusFactor episode was cited by Texas Monthly magazine as grounds for Green to be named one of Texas’s ten “Worst Legislators” in 2001. The nadir of Rick Green’s legislative record, however, was his successful advocacy of early parole for Melvin Cox, a convicted swindler who bilked victims — some of whom were members of his own church — out of over $30 million in a Ponzi scheme. Cox was a longtime business associate of Green’s father (and Green himself), and due to Green’s unusual efforts Cox served less than three years of a 16-year prison sentence. Prior to getting caught, Cox loaned $400,000 to a company owned and controlled by Rick Green. With these unsavory actions, Rick Green brought disrepute to himself and the entire Legislature.</p>
<p>Rick Green’s injudicious actions continued after he lost his legislative seat to Democrat Patrick Rose. Four years after he lost his bid for re-election, Green punched Rose at a polling place on Election Day, leading to a warrant being issued for Green’s arrest. Green turned himself in, was charged with assault with bodily injury, served six months’ probation, and paid a fine (in return, he received a “deferred adjudication”). Green wrote about the incident in his 2009 self-published book, boasting that “It was the first real punch that I had thrown since I was a kid, but I sent him to the ground.” Showing a complete lack of remorse, Green went on to quip, “I guess if I do ever run for office again, we will have a great slogan for the next campaign: ‘He’ll fight for Texas!’” (In fact, his slogan this time out is “Pick Rick.”)</p>
<p>In Green’s race against Judge Debra Lehrmann in 2010, supporters of Lehrmann — including former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips--circulated a letter to GOP voters outlining some of the incidents described above. When he lost the election, Green sued Phillips and others for libel. After the defendants filed a First Amended Original Answer documenting all the incidents in detail, Green quickly dismissed the lawsuit “with prejudice” (meaning it could not be re-filed), with no apology or payment of money by the defendants. This is a strong indication that the libel suit was baseless. </p>
<p>In Elmer Gantry-like fashion, Rick Green has carefully cultivated a pious image among evangelical voters as a patriot and “constitutional watchdog,” espousing a “Biblical worldview.” His radio show, website, and reality TV show tirelessly promote his upright public image, which is very appealing to religious conservatives. Actions, however, speak louder than words. His actions — with regard to Metabolife, FocusFactor, Melvin Cox, Patrick Rose, and the vindictive libel suit — are (to be charitable) the caricature of an injudicious person, ill-suited to serve on any court, let alone Texas’s highest court. Rick Green has repeatedly exhibited bad judgment, associated with shady characters, and displayed a bad temper. One incident might be explained as a “youthful indiscretion” (although Rick Green was almost 30 when elected to the legislature); a series of such incidents forms an unmistakable pattern. In contrast, Justice Paul Green’s lengthy record is solid — and unblemished by scandal or impropriety. Indeed, Paul Green epitomizes the meaning of “judicious.”</p>
<p>Which Green will Texas voters choose for Place 5? Will the judicious candidate prevail? The eyes of Texas are upon you. </p>
</div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/purge">Purge</a></li></ul></div>Mon, 11 Jan 2016 17:22:16 +0000manager447 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/legitimate-judicial-candidates-must-be-%E2%80%98judicious%E2%80%99#commentsLujan, Uresti likely headed to runoff in Texas House District 118https://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/lujan-uresti-likely-headed-runoff-texas-house-district-118
<div class="mediaArticleHeader">November 3, 2015</div><div class="field field-name-field-publication field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleOutlet field-wrapper">San Antonio Express News </div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleAuthor field-wrapper">John W. Gonzalez </div><div class="field field-name-field-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><p>In a stunning outcome, Republican John Lujan and Democrat Tomás Uresti were leading a six-candidate field for Texas House District 118 in nearly complete results late Tuesday.</p>
<p>In his second run for the office, Lujan, 53, showed strength in a district long held by Democrats, narrowly outpolling members of two prominent political families.<br />“I’m still on pins and needles. It’s not a done deal,” Lujan said with many votes still uncounted.</p>
<p>In his low-key campaign, the retired firefighter, who works in sales for a tech company, emphasized tech training to prepare students for the workforce. His backers included some firefighters and Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC.</p>
<p>Uresti, 55, a legal assistant, is vice chairman of the Harlandale Independent School District. With 35 years of community involvement as a coach, mentor and tutor, Uresti capitalized on his network of friends and family name — his brothers are state Sen. Carlos Uresti of San Antonio and Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti.</p>
<p>“Democrats are going to pull together again to win this one,” Tomás Uresti said of the impending runoff.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.4px;">A runoff between Lujan and Uresti would be Jan. 19.</span></p>
<p>Running a close third was Gabe Farias, the son of former state Rep. Joe Farias, D-San Antonio, who resigned from the House seat in June with more than a year remaining in his unexpired term.</p>
<p>Candidate Farias, 44, is CEO of the West Side Chamber of Commerce. His clan was competing with the Uresti family’s well-developed Democratic political network.</p>
<p>Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Manuel Medina said his party’s candidates gathered most of the district’s votes and he predicted Uresti would prevail in a runoff.<br />“Republican Party predictions of inroads into this district were all wrong. We will now unite behind the Democratic Party front-runner, Tomás Uresti,” Medina said.</p>
<p>Also competing was Democrat Anthony Alcoser, 33, a former Harlandale ISD board member; and Republicans Richard A. Casias, 65, a Somerset rancher and retired colonel, and small-business owner Michael Holdman, 39, who previously made bids for Texas House District 119 and Schertz City Council.</p>
<p>District 118, which has about 86,500 registered voters, covers a large swath of Bexar County and includes neighborhoods on the East, South and Southeast sides.</p>
<p>While the special election competition is still underway to fill a term that runs through 2016, the race to fill the next full term in District 118 is about to begin. Starting Nov. 14, candidates of both parties will file for the March 1 primaries. Several of the candidates in the special election also intend to run for the full term.</p>
<p>Republican John Lujan and Democrat Tomas Uresti are headed to a runoff in the special election race to fill the unexpired term of former state Rep. Joe Farias of San Antonio in Texas House District 118.</p>
<p>The two top vote-getters outpaced the former lawmaker’s son, Democrat Gabe Farias, and three other candidates, according to nearly complete results posted by the Bexar County Elections Department.</p>
<p>Also running are Democrat Anthony Alcoser and Republicans Robert A. Casias and Michael Holdman.</p>
<p>The runoff is slated for Jan. 19.</p>
</div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/purge">Purge</a></li></ul></div>Wed, 04 Nov 2015 15:07:32 +0000manager442 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/lujan-uresti-likely-headed-runoff-texas-house-district-118#commentsReform group asks voters to remember judicial raceshttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/reform-group-asks-voters-remember-judicial-races
<div class="mediaArticleHeader">November 4, 2014</div><div class="field field-name-field-publication field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleOutlet field-wrapper">SE Texas Record</div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleAuthor field-wrapper">Marilyn Tennissen</div><div class="field field-name-field-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">During this election season, the race for governor and the millions of dollars candidates Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis have spent on their campaigns have captured most of the media attention.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">But often-overlooked judiciary races are equally important, according to Sherry Sylvester, executive director of Texans for Lawsuit Reform.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">“Personal injury trial lawyers have been relentless in their efforts to return Texas to the days when our state was the ‘lawsuit capitol of the world.’ They spend more than any other single business, profession or industry on Texas political campaigns,” Sylvester said in an email to the Record.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Although the TLR PAC is a bi-partisan organization, Sylvester said that too often in the state’s major metropolitan areas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Beaumont and Corpus Christi, trial court judges have been “hand-picked” by personal injury trial lawyers.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">“For that reason, in this election, we have urged voters to support Republican trial judges and candidates in those counties,” she wrote.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">That includes Jefferson County, where TLRPAC has endorsed Republican Rick Williams for judge of the 172<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; height: 0px; line-height: 1; position: relative; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; background: transparent;">nd</span> Judicial District Court. He is fighting to take the bench from Democrat Donald Floyd, who has served in that post since 1989.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Floyd has run unopposed in most of elections over the 25 years he has been on the bench. But this year, several of the county’s biggest law firms that do business in Floyd’s court have poured thousands of dollars into his campaign.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Sylvester said there are also several incumbents on the Texas Supreme Court that have challengers this year.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">“The Texas Supreme Court is one of the most respected courts in the nation,” she said. “TLR PAC strongly supports the re-election of the three incumbents running for the Texas Supreme Court who have contested races – Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Justice Jeff Brown and Justice Jeff Boyd.”</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">She also mentioned several races to watch in various Courts of Appeals throughout the state, and encourages Houston voters to support Kem Thompson Frost and Ken Wise on the 14<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; height: 0px; line-height: 1; position: relative; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; background: transparent;">th</span> Court and Russell Lloyd on the 1<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; height: 0px; line-height: 1; position: relative; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; background: transparent;">st</span> Court.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">“In San Antonio, Justice Sandee Bryan Marion is the best choice for Chief Justice,” she said.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">The PAC also supports Craig Stoddart for the 5<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; height: 0px; line-height: 1; position: relative; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; background: transparent;">th</span>Court in Dallas and Jeff Rose for the 3<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; height: 0px; line-height: 1; position: relative; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; background: transparent;">rd</span> Court in Austin.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Times; line-height: 18px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">“Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC supports principled and independent judges who follow the Constitution and the plain words of Texas law. Our goal is to assure that Texas courts remain fair, predictable and balanced,” she said.</p>
</div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/purge">Purge</a></li></ul></div>Tue, 04 Nov 2014 15:00:59 +0000manager416 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/reform-group-asks-voters-remember-judicial-races#commentsSpokesman: Trial lawyer Mostyn helped police group because he wanted to try to unseat hometown state rephttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/spokesman-trial-lawyer-mostyn-helped-police-group-because-he-wanted-try-unseat
<div class="mediaArticleHeader">September 23, 2014</div><div class="field field-name-field-publication field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleOutlet field-wrapper">Dallas Morning News</div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden mediaArticleAuthor field-wrapper">Robert T. Garrett</div><div class="field field-name-field-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><p>Houston trial lawyer and political mega donor Steve Mostyn, who usually helps Democratic candidates, bankrolled a police group that was mostly playing in GOP primaries last spring because he’s from Tyler and wanted to knock off tea party-backed freshman Republican Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, a spokesman said Monday.</p>
<p>“We were playing close attention to the race in East Texas because Steve’s from Tyler,” said Mostyn spokesman Jeff Rotkoff.</p>
<p>Rotkoff said Mostyn and his wife, Amber, who each election cycle give millions to state political causes, dropped a cool $50,000 on the Texas Municipal Police Association PAC this year because they were impressed with the group’s goals in the primary election.</p>
<p>“They opposed candidates who we thought were not doing a good job,” Rotkoff said.</p>
<p>Among the PAC’s targets were attorney general candidate Ken Paxton of McKinney, whom the law enforcement group’s president chided in this open letter for failing to register as an investment adviser. The omission drew Paxton, a freshman state senator, a fine from the Texas State Securities Board. Three months earlier, the police PAC endorsed Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, Paxton’s chief rival for attorney general. In a May 27 runoff, Paxton crushed Branch.</p>
<p>The association says it has more than 20,000 members who are law enforcement officers and first responders. Late last year, its PAC moved early to back Republican Speaker Joe Straus for re-election to his House seat in San Antonio. In this year’s GOP House primaries, the PAC generally supported Straus allies. For instance, it helped Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, who won; and Rep. Bennett Ratliff, R-Coppell, who narrowly lost.</p>
<p>By far the PAC’s biggest push was defeating Schaefer, who is allied with Straus’ critics. A year ago, Paxton and 20 of the House’s most conservative members traveled to Tyler to attend a fundraiser for Schaefer, according to this post by Texas Monthly‘s Paul Burka.</p>
<p>Of the $72,000 the municipal police association PAC has raised this year, 69 percent came from the Mostyn Law Firm, according to a Dallas Morning News review of campaign-finance reports to the Texas Ethics Commission. Of the $81,500 the PAC has spent on candidates in 2014, just over $52,000 — or 64 percent — went to buy radio ads, mailers and brochures for Schaefer’s GOP challenger, Tyler businessman Skip Ogle, the newspaper found.</p>
<p>The effort failed as Schaefer, one of the House’s most conservative members, fended off Ogle in the initial March 4 balloting, 61 percent to 39 percent.</p>
<p>Late Monday, PAC treasurer Lon Craft, who is the police association’s director of legislative services, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Mostyn donations.</p>
<p>Mostyn grew up in Whitehouse, just outside Tyler, and has relatives who live in Tyler, Rotkoff said.</p>
</div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/purge">Purge</a></li></ul></div>Wed, 24 Sep 2014 16:06:01 +0000manager268 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/media-article/spokesman-trial-lawyer-mostyn-helped-police-group-because-he-wanted-try-unseat#commentsTLRPAC Endorses Wayne Faircloth in HD 23https://www.tlrpac.com/press-release/tlrpac-endorses-wayne-faircloth-hd-23
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<p align="center"><strong style="line-height: 20px;">TLRPAC Endorses Wayne Faircloth in HD 23</strong></p>
<p>(Austin, TX) - Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC today endorsed Wayne Faircloth for State Representative in House District 23.</p>
<p>Wayne Faircloth is a successful business owner who knows what it takes to create jobs and he understands the importance of lawsuit reform in strengthening the Texas economy. By contrast, his opponent has been largely funded by personal injury trial lawyers. TLRPAC is proud to endorse Wayne Faircloth.</p>
<p>Wayne built his own insurance business and has served the people of Galveston County as an insurance agent for the past 30 years. He has served on City Council, the Galveston County Water Board and as a Commissioner on the Galveston/Texas City Pilot Commission. Wayne graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. He is a fourth generation Texan and has lived in Galveston County for over 35 years. He and his wife Cheryl have five children and five grandchildren.</p>
<p>House District 23 includes Chambers County and part of Galveston County.</p>
<p>TLRPAC is the political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the state's largest civil justice reform organization. TLR is a bipartisan, volunteer-led coalition with more than 18,000 supporters residing in 869 Texas communities and representing 1,266 different businesses, professions and trades. For more information about TLRPAC visit <a href="http://www.tlrpac.com/">www.tlrpac.com</a>.</p>
</div><div class="field field-name-press-release-end-of-copy field-type-ds field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><div class ="endOfCopy">###</div></div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/migrate">Migrate</a></li></ul></div>Tue, 09 Sep 2014 05:00:00 +0000manager264 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/press-release/tlrpac-endorses-wayne-faircloth-hd-23#commentsTLRPAC Endorses the Election of Justice Jeff Boyd to the Supreme Court of Texashttps://www.tlrpac.com/press-release/tlrpac-endorses-election-justice-jeff-boyd-supreme-court-texas
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<p>(Houston, TX) Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC has endorsed the election of Justice Jeff Boyd to the Supreme Court of Texas. In making the endorsement, TLRPAC Chairman Richard J. Trabulsi, Jr., said:</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">“Justice Jeff Boyd has proven to be a diligent and conscientious justice on the Texas Supreme Court. He is committed to following the Constitution and the plain reading of Texas law and is a great asset to our nationally-respected Texas Supreme Court. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Jeff Boyd had an accomplished career as a litigator and he is widely respected as an honorable and exceptionally able person. TLRPAC is proud to endorse his re-election.”</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">Before his appointment to the Texas Supreme Court, Justice Boyd served as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Gov. Rick Perry. He served as Deputy Attorney General at the Texas Attorney General’s office and worked as a Senior Partner at Thompson &amp; Knight L.L.P. He has been a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee since 2003.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">Boyd earned his undergraduate degree from Abilene Christian University and his law degree, graduating summa cum laude, from Pepperdine University.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">TLRPAC is the political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the state's largest civil justice reform organization. TLR is a bipartisan, volunteer-led coalition with more than 18,000 supporters residing in 818 Texas communities and representing 1,266 different businesses, professions and trades. For more information about TLRPAC visit </span><a href="http://www.tlrpac.com" style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">www.tlrpac.com</a><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">. </span></p>
<p align="center">Pol. Adv. Paid for by Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC</p>
</div><div class="field field-name-press-release-end-of-copy field-type-ds field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><div class ="endOfCopy">###</div></div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/migrate">Migrate</a></li></ul></div>Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:18:33 +0000manager263 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/press-release/tlrpac-endorses-election-justice-jeff-boyd-supreme-court-texas#commentsTLRPAC Endorses State Senator Glenn Hegar for Texas Comptrollerhttps://www.tlrpac.com/press-release/tlrpac-endorses-state-senator-glenn-hegar-texas-comptroller
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<p align="center"><strong>TLRPAC Endorses State Senator Glenn Hegar for Texas Comptroller</strong></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">(Houston, TX) - Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC today endorsed State Senator Glenn Hegar for Texas Comptroller. In making the endorsement, TLRPAC Board Chairman Richard J. Trabulsi, Jr., said: </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">"Senator Hegar is a principled conservative who understands the importance of tort reform in creating jobs and assuring access to doctors and health care throughout the state. As a Member of the Texas House of Representatives and as a State Senator, Glenn Hegar supported lawsuit reforms that have strengthened the Texas economy and assured that our civil justice system is balanced and fair. Glenn Hegar is a successful businessman, lawyer and legislator and his varied experience and accomplished career make him well suited to be our State’s Comptroller. TLRPAC is proud to endorse him.”</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">Hegar was first elected to the Texas House in 2002, representing Waller, Warton and part of Fort Bend County. He was elected to the Texas Senate in 2006. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Texas A&amp;M University and his law degree from St. Mary’s School of Law. He is a sixth-generation Texan.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">TLRPAC is the political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the state's largest civil justice reform organization. TLR is a bipartisan, volunteer-led coalition with more than 18,000 supporters residing in 869 Texas communities and representing 1,266 different businesses, professions and trades. For more information about TLRPAC visit </span><a href="http://www.tlrpac.com/" style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">www.tlrpac.com</a><span style="line-height: 20.3999996185303px;">.</span></p>
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<p align="center">Pol. Adv. Paid for by Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC</p>
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</div><div class="field field-name-press-release-end-of-copy field-type-ds field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><div class ="endOfCopy">###</div></div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/migrate">Migrate</a></li></ul></div>Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:01:37 +0000manager262 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/press-release/tlrpac-endorses-state-senator-glenn-hegar-texas-comptroller#commentsTLRPAC Endorses Ken Paxton for Attorney General https://www.tlrpac.com/press-release/tlrpac-endorses-ken-paxton-attorney-general
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<p dir="ltr">(Houston, TX) - Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC today announced its endorsement of State Sen. Ken Paxton for Attorney General. Speaking for the TLRPAC Board, TLR co-Founder and CEO Richard W. Weekley said:</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Senator Paxton is a principled conservative who understands the importance of lawsuit reform in creating jobs and assuring access to doctors and health care throughout the state. As a Member of the Texas House of Representatives and as a State Senator, Ken Paxton supported tort reforms leading to a fair and balanced civil justice system. Senator Paxton will be an attorney general who is committed to justice and fairness for every Texan and one who will stand up for the Tenth Amendment and the State of Texas against the unwarranted intrusions by the federal government.” </p>
<p dir="ltr">Paxton was first elected to the Texas House in 2003, representing part of Collin County. He was elected to the Texas Senate in 2012. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Baylor University and his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He is currently a named partner in the law firm of Pittenger, Paxton, Nuspl, &amp; Crumley.</p>
<p dir="ltr">TLRPAC is the political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the state's largest civil justice reform organization. TLR is a bipartisan, volunteer-led coalition with more than 17,000 supporters residing in 869 Texas communities and representing 1,266 different businesses, professions and trades. For more information about TLR PAC visit<a href="http://www.tlrpac.com/"> www.tlrpac.com</a>.</p>
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</div><div class="field field-name-press-release-end-of-copy field-type-ds field-label-hidden field-wrapper"><div class ="endOfCopy">###</div></div><div class="field field-name-field-migration-status field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above field-wrapper clearfix"><h2 class="field-label">Migration Status: </h2><ul class="links"><li class="taxonomy-term-reference-0" class="field-item even"><a href="/campaigns/migration-status/migrate">Migrate</a></li></ul></div>Fri, 15 Aug 2014 05:00:00 +0000manager261 at https://www.tlrpac.comhttps://www.tlrpac.com/press-release/tlrpac-endorses-ken-paxton-attorney-general#comments